10.1021/jo00942a048
The research presents an improved general synthesis of aporphines via Pschorr cyclization of 1-(2’-aminobenzyl)-7-hydroxy-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines. The key chemicals involved in this research include o-nitrotoluenes (2a-e), 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium methiodide, KO-t-Bu, Pd/C, Zn-H2SO4, diazomethane, and copper powder. The synthesis involves several steps: condensation of o-nitrotoluenes with 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium methiodide in the presence of KO-t-Bu to form 1-(2’-nitrobenzyl)-7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (3a-e); reduction of these compounds with Pd/C or Zn-H2SO4 to obtain aminophenols (4a-f); and cyclization of the aminophenols to form 1-hydroxyaporphines (5a-f) using diazotization and copper powder. The final products include thalicmidine (5g), nuciferine (6a), glaucine (6g), and the thalicarpine precursor 6e. The synthesis is notable for achieving the highest yields reported to date for these compounds.